Paying it Forward” - School of Nursing - West Virginia University

When WVU School of Nursing students Danielle and
Sierra Repass lost their grandmother to lung cancer
in 2009, the harsh reality of the disease made a lasting
impression on both their lives.
"Our grandmother played a significant role in raising the
two of us, especially when we were younger," said Danielle
Repass. "Her death affected us deeply and made us aware of
how real cancer is."
Danielle and her twin sister Sierra decided to honor their
grandmother's memory by participating in the American
Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Monongalia County Walk at
Mylan Park in Morgantown, WV. The senior nursing students
from East Dailey, WV, embarked on a promotional campaign to
recruit members from the School of Nursing to participate in
the event.
"We sent e-mails to everyone we could think of at the
School of Nursing and we posted signs everywhere. We
Judith Kandzari Rural Health Scholars
Raise Over $2,000
toward toward cancer cancer research
research
ended up getting over 30 members to participate in the walk!"
said Danielle Repass.
"We went from place to place to get people involved. It
was a really good feeling to realize that we had more
participants than we thought we would," added Sierra Repass.
Prior to the walk which was held on June 4 and 5, the
sisters had decided on a fundraising goal of $500. When the
event concluded, they were excited to learn that their efforts
had earned over $2,000 toward cancer research.
"We never imagined we'd raise that much," said Danielle
Repass. "We had set up a tie-dye T-shirt making booth to raise
some money and we got $250 from that alone! We were so
amazed at the success of the event."
In addition to their work with Relay for Life, both Danielle
and Sierra Repass are actively involved in the WVU Student
Nurses Association and were recently awarded the 2010 -
2011 Judith C. Kandzari Rural Health scholarship. They plan on
putting their scholarship money toward travel expenses for
their rural health rotations in Martinsburg, WV.
According to both Danielle and Sierra Repass, the WVU
School of Nursing has helped them develop a passion for
caring about people.
"Nursing has given us new perspective on life," said
Danielle Repass. "It has taught us to be more grateful for what
we have."
"The WVU School of Nursing is where I'm meant to be,"
added Sierra Repass.
Phot Photo: Phot o: D DDanielle
D nielle a aand
a nd SS
Sierr S ierr ierra ierr a RR
Repass R Repass
epass (right) (right) of of of EE
East EE
ast D DDaile
D ile iley, ile , WV WV, WV
represented represented the the School School of of Nursing Nursing at at the the Relay Relay for for for Life Life of of Monongalia
Monongalia
Monongalia
Count ount ounty ount y W WWalk
W alk in in June June. June June . Their Their fundr fundraising fundr ising effor efforts effor ts ea ea earne ea rne rned rne d more more tha than tha
$2,000 $2,000 toward toward cancer cancer research.
research.
15